Day Thirty-Five (June 7)

60 miles, Fryeburg (Maine) to Old Orchard Beach

Today was absolutely beautiful...temperatures in the low 70s, sunny with no chance of rain, and a cool northwest wind helping me along. For the first time in weeks, I was able to start the day without my sweater or jacket on. I rode through smooth rolling hills and forests, marshes and lakes, enjoying views like this:

As I rode I counted down the miles...40 to go...30...20...10...then it was the final countdown. The miles ticked away, one after the other, until finally I saw the sight I'd been dreaming of for weeks:

At long last, the beach! After 35 days and 3,294 miles, I had finally reached the end of my journey. Only one thing remained to be done. All those many weeks ago, when this trip began, I ceremonially dipped the bike in the Pacific Ocean to signify an official start on the West Coast. Now, to bring the Bikeabout to its final conclusion, I had only to officially reach the Atlantic...and that's just what I did.

Sure, I got my feet wet, but I tell you, it was worth it. Words just can't express what a moment like this feels like. I battled headwinds, crosswinds, rain, thunderstorms, cold, hills, mountains, anxiety, depression, flat tires, broken spokes, bad hotels, narrow roads, saddle sores, and just about anything else a cyclist can encounter on the road....but it was all worth it just for this moment.

Afterwards I took a few minutes to relax on the pier, enjoying the fresh sea air and the knowledge that this grand undertaking was finally completed. When you think about it, riding coast to coast really didn't accomplish anything specific (except shave off a few pounds), but now I have memories to last a lifetime, a great story to tell, and the realization of a longtime dream.

Now that it's all over and done, I'd like to take a moment to thank those who made this all possible (in no particular order):

My Mom: By insisting that I not do this, and constantly suggesting that I quit during the difficult trials early on, her reverse psychology actually convinced me to keep going. (Which I'm sure was the plan...right Mom?)

Tom Gondolfi: By picking me up at the airport, and riding with me on that first day, he ensured I got off to an excellent start. He also provided a handy safety net if I should have needed to abort (fortunately, that didn't happen).

Jeff Hebert (my brother-in-law): For being there at the end to pick me up and drive me home.

Phil Lacefield: For moral support during the ride and for helping me find hotels during those difficult days on the Plains where rooms could be 40 miles or more apart.

Rob Glass: My co-partner at AOG, whose frequent demands that I get done as quickly as possible convinced me not to take any days off and to get as far as possible on each day.

All my SFW customers: For being patient enough to let me shut down the games for a few weeks while I took this trip. (By the way, turns will start again next Wednesday.)

Everyone who followed this online diary each day on the Internet: In many ways it was the knowledge that all of you were tracking me that kept my eyes on the prize. Thanks, everyone, and don't forget to follow your dreams!